US3508234A - Bed wetting alarm and trainer - Google Patents

Description

April 1970 J. w. SNYDER 3,508,234

BED WETTING ALARM AND TRAINER Filed May 26, 1967 i 3 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR. J05 w SNYDER illa/166 A TTYS.

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BED WETTING ALARM AND TRAINER- F Med May 26, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arm 5,

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GENERATOR Y! 3/ aofiPFA/(ER United States Patent 3,508,234 BED WETTING ALARM AND TRAINER Joe W. Snyder, 15288 SE. La Marquita Way, Milwaukie, Oreg. 97222 Filed May 26, 1967, Ser. No. 641,637 Int. Cl. G08b 21 /00 U.S. Cl. 340-235 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An alarm to alert a person subject to involuntary release of urine, comprising a sealed housing of electrically insulated material inclosing the alarm apparatus. One wall of the housing facing the body of the user is formed with a concave recessed pocket. Fitted within this pocket is a removable complementary insert that is perforated to permit passage of urine into the pocket. Opposed surfaces of the insert and pocket are electrically conductive, non-conductive areas being divided to terminate the alarm when the person is standing erect. The fastening elements that hold the removable inserts to the housing are also utilized as part of the electrical alarm circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Night time enuresis, the involuntary release of urine, is a common problem among young children and adolescents, particularly boys. Much literature has been devoted to the causes of the problem, which are rather complex and often related to psychological development of the child. The resulting symptom, commonly termed bed wetting, is troublesome to both the child and his parents, and becomes increasingly so with the age of the child.

Many different-devices have been proposed to assist in the correction of this problem. One line of such devices utilizes pads placed on the bed, which sound an alarm when wet. The difiiculty with such devices is that the reaction time between the initial release of urine and the time at which the pad has become sufficiently wetted to cause the alarm is so great that the child, when awakened is too late to correct the situation. To be eifective, such an alarm must sound as quickly as possible after the release or discharge of urine has started, and the alarm must be effective in awakening the child, since the tendency to sound sleep often accompanies the bed wetting symptoms.

In U.S. Patent No, 3,441,019 I have disclosed an alarm apparatus which is triggered by the bridging of spaced electrically conductive surfaces on elements worn by the person which receive urine upon such release. The first'drop of urine that bridges these surfaces is adequate to complete the alarm circuit. No soaking or penetration of a material is necessary.

A child can awaken immediately upon hearing the alarm and hasten to the bathroom prior to complete soaking of his bed and night clothes. The reflex action generated by use of this device is most effective when used by a child capable of manipulating and cleaning the apparatus when so awakened. Normally, the child should be at least five or six years old, although the apparatus has been used successfully by younger children.

Similar alarms are useful in the care of aged persons who have lost control of their urinary functions. An audible alarm can alert nurses and attendants in a nursing home and assist in the sanitary care of such persons.

One object of the present apparatus is to provide a highly sanitary apparatus that can be used many times and maintained in a clean sanitar condition, The external portions of the apparatus are preferably molded from sheet plastic material and the surfaces are smoothly contoured for easy cleaning and drying.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the alarm circuit will be automatically opened when the structure is dismantled for drying after the person has been alerted.

Another object of the invention is a novel fastening arrangement for the releasable insert that forms oneof the conductive surfaces wherein the fastener itself is used as a sealed electrical conductor leading to the interior alarm apparatus encased in the housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a nonconductive area at the bottom portion of the apparatus so that the alarm signal will be terminated when the person wearing the alarm is awakened and reaches a standing or upright position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a front inverted view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a rear inverted view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2; the lower portion of the apparatus being shown to the right;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view through the housing as seen along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the housing;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the insert;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the insert;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the insert as seen in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view through the assembly taken through the plane designated as 55 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the alarm circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The basic arrangement of operable elements included in this invention are shown in my prior U.S. Patent 3,441,019. The present invention relates to a bed wetting alarm and trainer having a molded wall of electrically insulating material and including a recessed pocket when at least a portion of the pocket surface is electrically conductive. A complementary insert is provided having one surface thereof cimplementary in contour to the pocket surface contour. At least a portion of this insert surface is electrically conductive. The insert is positioned relative to the pocket to separate the electrically conductive surfaces by an air gap capable of being bridged by droplets of urine. In one specific form of the invention, releasable fasteners are used to selectively mount the insert to the pocket, and the fasteners serve also as electrically conductive members in the alarm circuitry.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus described below is a self-enclosed alarm for alerting a person subjected to involuntary urination, particularly nighttime enuresis or bed wetting. The alarm and trainer is generally described herein with relation to its intended use by the person. For a more specific description of the basic alarm combination see U.S. Patent 3,441,019. The apparatus is adapted to be worn by the person in direct body contact against his front pelvic region. The apparatus is preferably maintained in place by undergarments, such as by use of an athletic supporter.

The relative positions of elements in the apparatus will be described herein in relation'to the positions of the elements when worn by a person. Therefore, the structure that faces outwardly from the person will be termed as being toward the front and the structure that faces toward the persons body will be termed as being rear. Likewise, although the person may obviously assume any position while wearing the device, the structure will be described with respect to its lower portion and upper portion, these terms being related to the orientation of the device when the person is upright or standing.

The general orientation of the apparatus when the person is standing is illustrated in FIG. 10. While the orientation of the apparatus varies in the drawings from one figure to another, the descriptive terminology used herein shall be related to the orientation shown in FIG. 10, wherein the upper portion of the apparatus is shown toward the top, the lower portion of the apparatus is shown toward the bottom, the front elements are directed toward the left and the rear elements are directed toward the right.

The embodiment of the device shown in the drawings comprises essentially two members whose features will be described herein in detail. The first member is a sealed housing 10 within which the battery and alarm apparatus 26 is enclosed. The second is a releasable insert 14, which cooperatively presents, with one wall of the housing, opposed spaced conductive surfaces. These conductive surfaces cooperate to trigger operation of the battery and alarm apparatus when bridged by a conductive liquid (urine).

The housing 10 is shown in detail in FIGS. 1 through 6. It comprises a rear wall -11 that faces the body of the user. The smooth periphery of wall 11 is designed to complement the persons body. It is contoured to fit snugly against the lower pelvic region. The housing 10 is completely sealed to eliminate damage to the interior devices from fluid during usage and subsequent cleaning.

At the lower portion of wall 11 is a recessed pocket 13 having generally concave open surfaces. In use, the pocket 13 is located in a facing position immediately outward of the persons urine discharge area. The housing 10 is completed by a forward wall 12, there being an enlarged cavity area at the upper portion of the housing within which is located the battery and alarm apparatus 26. The wall 11 and 12 which form the housing 10' are preferably molded of sheet plastic material that is electrically non-conductive. However, a portion of the surface within the pocket -13 is coated or plated with an electrically conductive surfacing material that extends about an area indicated in FIGURES and '6 by the broken line boundary shown at 23. The electrically conductive surface can be painted or otherwise applied or formed on the plastic surface. One type of coating that is particularly useful is a non-corrosive carbon overlay, which results in long service despite successive use and cleaning.

The insert 14 is shown in detail in FIGS. 7-9, as well as in FIGS. 4 and 10. The insert 14 is formed complementary to the interior surface configuration of pocket 13 and in use is positioned therein. It is perforated by a pattern of apertures to permit the passage of urine. It includes one surface 15 that faces forwardly in use (FIG. which is shaped so as to be positioned from the pocket surface by a narrow dimension. The one surface 14 of insert 14 is outwardly adjacent to the pocket surface and in near proximity to it so that two surfaces can be bridged by droplets of liquid. The location of the insert 14 relative to the pocket 13 is accurately positioned by outwardly protruding ribs 21 and a base identation 22 molded in the insert 14. These indented areas extend outwardly from the surface a distance equal to the desired separation between the pocket surface of the pocket 13 and the one surface 15 of the insert 14. The indented areas rest against the pocket surface and prevent the two adjacent surfaces from otherwise contacting one another.

The insert 14 also has a conductive surface area. This area is outlined in FIGS. 8 and 9 by the broken line boundary shown at 24. It is to be noted that the conductive surface on the insert 14 is discontinued about the areas of the ribs 21 and indentations 22. The insert conductive surface overlays the conductive surface of the pocket and is spaced from it both physically and electrically. The contact of the indented areas of insert 14 with the pocket surface does not complete electrical contact between the two independent surfaces since the indented areas are not electrically conductive.

It is to be noted that the conductive surface within the pocket 13, outlined by the line 23, terminates short of the lower base within the pocket 13. Likewise, the conductive surface of the insert 24 terminates short of its lower edge, as can be seen in FIG. 9. In this way, opposed areas of nonconductive surfaces are spaced from one another at the lower portion of the apparatus. The purpose of these nonconductive areas will be explained below.

This disclosure is not concerned specifically with the features of the battery and alarm apparatus 26. These elements can be of any conventional design capable of being sealed within the confines of housing 10. The general features of this apparatus are shown in FIG. 11. A battery 27 is used as the source of electrical energy. It is wired in a series circuit across the two conductive surfaces of the wall 11 and insert 14 respectively, which form a normally open circuit wired to an audio frequency generator 28. The audio frequency generator 28 is provided with a speaker 30 and an external jack 31 to facilitate the use of a conventional ear phone if required due to the sleeping characteristics of the user of the device.

The manner by which the conductive surfaces are physically connected in the alarm circuit within the hous. ing is designed to maintain the sealed character of housing 10 and to facilitate ready use of the apparatus by a young child or by an elderly patient. Specifically, the conductive surface within the pocket 13 on the wall 11 is in electrical contact with an indented metal member 25 that extends inwardly from the wall 11 and which is wired to the battery and alarm apparatus as indicated generally by the line 32 in FIG. 5. The conductive surface 14 is in electrical contact with a female fastener element 20 fixed to insert 14. This metal element can be releasably fixed to a male fastener element 18 on wall 11, the element 18 being wired also to the battery and alarm apparatus within housing 10 as shown by line 33 in FIG. 5 The fastener elements 18 and 20 therefore serve a dual purpose. First, they support the insert 14 on the wall 11 in a fixed position with the conductive surfaces thereof in proximity to one another. Secondly, they complete an electrical circuit from the insert conductive surface to the interior battery and alarm apparatus 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, an external jack 31 can be pro vided on the front wall 12 of the apparatus at the upper portion thereof. The jack 31 is used Where an external speaker or earphone is required in order to assist in alerting or awakening the person using the device.

As can be seen from the drawings, the insert 14 is provided with a pattern of apertures extending through it between the indented areas that locate the insert 14 in proximity to the pocket surface. The perforated insert 14 thereby permits the passage of urine to the limited space separating the one surface 15 of the insert from the pocket 13. When in use, the passage of urine through these apertures results in the bridging of the conductive surfaces by the conductive liquid, thereby completing the circuit shown in FIG. 11 and causing the generation of an audible alarm signal. In the case of a young child, this should immediately awaken him, and normally the child will be awakened at the very start of the release of urine in his sleep. The signal will also alert those in the vicinity of the person, so that they can assist where needed.

A child, when awakened by the alarm, will have been instructed to get out of bed immediately and hasten to the bathroom. When he stands, the drops of liquid will naturally flow downwardly to the lower portion of the pocket 13 which is not coated with an electrically conductive surface. If the child is awakened soon enough, this flow of urine'to the lower portion of the pocket 13 will therefore eliminate the bridging between the conductive surfaces and the alarm signal will be terminated when the child is standing. This reduces some of the confusion which otherwise results when the child is suddenly awakened from sound sleep.

One advantage of this arrangement is that the child, after being awakened, can immediately remove the integral housing and easily dry the wet surfaces and reassemble the device. The only manipulation required is theilease of the insert 14 by releasing the fastener elements 18, 20. This breaks the electrical circuit, and providcs complete access to the wetted portions of the walls of the device. The child then must only reassemble the apparatus by properly gripping the fastener elements 18, 20, which prepares the alarm circuit again for use. No external switches or more complicated latching devices are required.

Many modifications might still be made in this structure while retaining the basic features described above. Specifically, the pocket 13 need not be recessed so deeply as illustrated when designed solely for use by girls. The apparatus can be varied in size to fit children or adults. The apparatus shown is effective when used by either males or females and can be comfortably worn by either. The choice of materials and conductive surface details can be modified without deviating from the basic concept of the apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A bed wetting alarm and trainer to be worn on the person, comprising.

a sealed housing of electrically insulating material having a peripheral shape to engage a childs body in the front pelvic region about the urine discharge opening;

said housing having a well directed toward the persons :body when in use, said wall 'being formed with a concave pocket recessed therein;

an exposed surface coating of electrically conductive material located across at least a portion of the surface of said concave pocket; a separate perforated insert formed from a sheet of electrically insulating material having one surface thereof complementary to the contour of the concave pocket surface; an exposed surface coating of electrically conductive material provided across at least a portion of the said one surface of said insert;

connecting means on said housing and insert to releasably position said insert within the pocket with the respective insert and pocket conductive surfaces in near proximity to one another, but spaced and electrically insulated from one another, said surfaces being separated by an air gap capable of being bridged by droplets of urine;

and signalling means within said housing operatively connected to the conductive surfaces of said pocket and flap when said insert is so positioned, to thereby produce a warning signal in response to the bridging of said conductive surfaces by urine.

2. An apparatus as set out in claim- 1 wherein said connecting means comprises.

a pair of complementary fastener elements fixed to said wall and insert respectively to selectively fix the insert relative to the wall, each fastener element being electrically conductive, the fastener element on said insert being in electrical contact with the conductive surface portion thereof, the fastener element on said wall being electrically insulated from the conductive surface portion thereof. 3. An apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises,

a pair of complementary fastener elements fixed to said wall and insert respectively to selectively fix the insert relative to the wall, each fastener element being electrically conductive, the fastener element on said insert being in electrical contact with the conductive surface portion thereof, the fastener element on said wall being electrically insulated from the conductive surface portion thereof;

said signalling means comprising:

a battery;

a speaker;

an audio frequency generator operable when receiving current from said battery to operate the speaker;

the fastener element on said wall and the conductive surface portion of said wall being respectively wired in an open series circuit across said battery to said audio frequency generator.

4. An apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein the conductive surfaces on the wall and insert are discontinued at the bottom section of the pocket to terminate production of a warning signal when the wall is substantially upright.

5. An apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein the insert has a plurality of areas formed thereon extending outwardly from said one surface thereof to rest against the concave pocket surface of said wall.

6. An apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said insert comprises:

a sheet of electrically insulating material having a plurality of open apertures formed therethrough;

said sheet having a plurality of spaced indented areas extending outwardly beyond said one surface of said insert;

the conductive surface on said one surface being discontinued about said indented areas.

7.v In a bed wetting alarm and trainer to be worn on the person:

a molded wall of electrically insulating material having an open concave pocket recessed therein adapted to be positioned outwardly adjacent to and facing the urine discharge opening of the person, at least a portion of the outer surface of said concave pocket being electrically conductive;

an insert formed with one surface thereof complementary in contour to the contour of the concave pocket surface, at least a portion of said one surface of the insert :being electrically conductive;

Insert support means on said wall and insert to selectively position said one surface of said insert adjacent to and slightly spaced from the concave surface of said pocketwith the electrically conductive surface portions thereof openly facing one another and electrically insulated from one another, said surface portion being separated by an air gap cauable of being bridged by droplets of urine;

and signalling means operably connected to the electrically conductive surface portions of said pocket and insert to produce a warning signal when the space between said surface portions is bridged by urine;

a pair of complementary fastener elements fixed to said wall and insert respectively to selectively fix the insert relative to the wall, each fastener element being electrically conductive, the fastener element on said insert being in electrical contact with the conductive surface portion thereof, the fastener element on said wall being electrically insulated from the conductive surface portion thereof.

8. An apparatus as set out in claim 7 wherein said signalling means comprises:

a battery; a speaker; an audio frequency generator operable when receiving current from said batttery to operate the speaker; the fastener element on said wall and the conductive surface portion of said wall being respectively wired in open series circuit across said battery to said audio frequency generator.

9. In a bed wetting alarm and trainer to be worn on the person:

a molded wall of electrically insulating material having an open concave pocket recessed therein adapted to be positioned outwardly adjacent to and facing the urine discharge opening of the person, at least a portion of the outer surface of said concave pocket being electrically conductive;

an insert formed with one surface thereof complementary in contour to the contour of the concave pocket surface, at least a portion of said one surface of the insert being electrically conductive;

insert support means on said wall and insert to selectively position said one surface of said insert adjacent to and slightly spaced from the concave surface of said pocket with the electrically conductive surface portions thereof openly facing one another and electrically insulated from one another, said surface portion being separated by an air gap capable of being bridged by droplets of urine;

and signalling means operably connnected to the elec- A 8 trically conductive surface portions of said poclget and insert to produce a warning signal when the space between said surface portions is bridged by urine; said wall being formed as part of a sealed housing containing said signalling means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,046,080 6/ 1936 McClellan 340-2 35 2,316,683 6/1943 Jacobson 200-61104 2,668,202 2/ 1954 Kaplan 340-235 3,020,528 2/1962 Swanson et al. 340-2 35 3,221,317 11/1965 Ferrigno 3402 35 FOREIGN PATENTS 77,306 4/ 1918 Switzerland.

JOHN W. CALDWELL, Primary Examiner 20 D. A. HART, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 5Q8 234 Date April 21 L27!) Inventor(s) Joe W. Snyder It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

At column 6 the following indented clause is added following line 59:

"said insert means comprising:".

3K3? AND swan (SEAL) Attest:

mm x. saw, an. Altesting O fi Oomissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC 00:70.

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